In verse 19, Paul wrote, Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing And we should understand that Paul, in saying this, didnt mean that such things didnt matter. In a word, the application of Paul's principle to cultural distinctives is this: Don't fret and don't boast about your present state of cultural distinctives; they are of little importance to God compared to whether you are devoting yourself, soul and mind and body, to obeying his commandments, which are all fulfilled in this: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Romans 13:810; Galatians 5:14). Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. Is yours a menial job? If you have an opportunity to go and follow a different religion that rejects the Lord Jesus Christ, that in sin. Let him not be circumcised. Sermon Central Share a Sermon; Try PRO Free; Help; Sign In; Sermon . If that is true, then we need to think through our opportunities and our assignments with that lens. Again Paul answers, no. If she wanted to marry, and her father would not allow her to do so, she might disgrace her father and ruin her own testimony by marrying the wrong person. The things that we didnt want to do before, we now begin to love to do. Their sins are completely forgivencast into the sea of Gods pardoning grace. But Paul deepens our understanding with a new theological reason. So often when we go to the Bible, we are trying to get answers to our questions; what school should I go to, who should I marry? Am I living my best life now? Why is this? Effectual calling is the work of Gods almighty power and grace, whereby (out of his free and special love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto) he doth, in his accepted time, invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his word and Spirit; savingly enlightening their minds, renewing and powerfully determining their wills, so as they (although in themselves dead in sin) are hereby made willing and able freely to answer his call, and to accept and embrace the grace offered and conveyed therein. The Bible tells us that. Now; this fundamental principle is given to us in three verses. Let him not become uncircumcised. To be circumcised, of course, was to bear upon ones self the covenant sign of Israel. Sermon . We are located at the top of the intersection of NW 185th Avenue and Germantown Road. I have a responsibility to my wife that no one in heaven or earth shares. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) We are anxious about so many things, but our Heavenly Father knows that we need all of these things. John 5:19-29 Study Guide: Jesus Gives Life, John 5:30-47 Study Guide: The Scriptures Point to Me, John 6:22-40 Study Guide: I am the Bread of Life, John 6:41-59 Study Guide: Jesus Addresses the Skeptics. So, the first thing that Paul talks about are these honorable assignments between different people groups. And thirdly, I believe we should always strivewherever He has usto be a faithful witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. He makes me lie down in green pastures. We are thankful for this. "The lot is cast in the lap, but the decision is wholly from the Lord" (Proverbs 16:33). Sometimes we think of calling in the sense of vocation, but the word calling as Paul uses it has to do with Gods effectual calling. . Paul gave the same principle again in verse 20; Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. Do you notice that Paul referred to that place in which God calls us as a calling? Are we doing this in response of faith and the obedience to Jesus Christ in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in? Your Job as Ministry. The moment any woman or man or young person places their faith in Jesus Christ, they become completely born-again in Him. These are our assignments, the relationships that God has given us to live in. With these other questions since you can take a different job or you can go to a different church, we have to ask harder questions. Most practically, how do we evaluate opportunities that present themselves? Now, Paul is then drawing the application of this point to probably one of the most difficult circumstances to find yourself in, that of a bondservant, a slave. God had providentially called them from within that particular relationship in order that He might use them as a witness to their unbelieving husband or unbelieving wife. The fact were urged to stay in the place we were when God called us does not mean that thats where God will always keep us. It is so important, in fact, that Paul repeats it three times in this short passage. We do have assignments from the Lord, but the important thing is that call. Let's read 1 Corinthians 7:17-24. There is no clear objective rule on this. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. What should we be saying? The Bible doesnt say yes it will or no it wont. With long-suffering and prayer and humble, exemplary conduct, the believing partner longs to win the unbeliever. Rather, we are to walk as a faithful Christian in the very place of life where God has called us to Himselfand to let Him use us there, in that place, as His witnesses for Christ. Where we are in our life is not by accident. Then Paul expands that principle to show us that its a general principle that should affect all of our lives. In the minds of most Jewish people, he was something close to a gangster. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy (1 Corinthians 7:12-14). If they were called to God in a state of cultural freedom, then they are to be faithful to walk with Jesus Christ as His servants within their liberty. This is my rule in all the churches. To make a decision in light of your effectual calling. It deals with the single lifestyle and what if offers compares to the marriage. Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Third, for you younger people who have not entered a profession yet, the implication of our text is this: When you ask yourself the question, "What is God's will for my life?" Christians are prone to this too. I think Paul himself might be a good example for us in this. Before we read it, let's orient ourselves from the preceding context. We begin to read the Bible with new passion and understanding. (1 Corinthians 7:17-24) . And Paul's answer is: You don't need to abandon your vocation if you can stay in it with God. In calling us to Himself in Christ at the time He did, and in the place of life He did, and under the circumstances He didwith that upbringing we had, or in that cultural setting in which we live our lives, or with that social standing He has given us in this worldHe has not made any mistakes. What he is talking about here is the situation that a believer, someone who has been called to faith in Jesus Christ and has responded with saving, justifying faith to the call of God, that we believers are called to live a life where we are living in a way that is defined to us by the word of God. We can say in this situation, how can I serve? The word that occurs in each statement of the principle and nine times altogether in this paragraph is the word "call." It will transform and transcend everything else you do. This was meant for all of Gods people in Christ. The circumstances you are in are relatively unimportant because of the glory that God is calling to you in Christ. My life is to obey God and enjoy his presence.". Stay in the relationship you were in when God called you to faith. Lets have enough confidence in Gods call upon us to trust Him in it, and to let Him use it, and to even thank Him for it. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 A Sermon By Scott Lindsay We are continuing this morning in our study of Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, picking up at verse 17 of chapter 7 and working through to verse 24 of that same chapter. If we translated this really literally, it would go like this, Only to each as God assigned, in the situation in which God has called each thus let him walk.. So all Christians, and only Christians, are called in this sense. An opportunity we are going to see is a lawful and properly available path where we might change our circumstances. Still, we might ask the question why Paul doesnt seek that the institution of slavery be abolished all together? These assignments are the circumstances of our lives. God is sovereign. This is true. What Paul is talking about here, hes not laying out the gospel message about what Jesus Christ has done for us. He told his story in 1 Timothy 1; and he was thankful for how God used the place of life he was in when he was called. As a Jewish man, he would never have been indifferent to the covenant sign that God gave to his ancestor Abraham. This is the second principle that Paul goes on to say is that what the gospel does is undercut the very foundation upon which chattel-based slavery, possession-based slavery rests. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24. Verse 19 says literally, "Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God (is everything)." 1 Corinthians 1:1-17 - God Calls Us to Unity - Study and Obey All Sermons Bible Studies Devotionals Prayers. It seems wholly out of place between these to say, "If you can gain your freedom, do it." Dont be anxious about your assignment in life. But their husbands or wives had not done so. Then he looks to the noble free man and says, "Do not become proud, for in Christ you are a slave. You dont need to change your social status, just respond right now and repent in faith. The early church lifted up the single lifestyle. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Sermons on 1 Corinthians 7:17-24: showing 1-15 of 94 Sort By Scripture Clear Scripture Filters Rating 5 stars 4 stars or more 3 stars or more Any Rating Date Last Week Last Month Last 3 Months Last 6 Months Last Year Any Time Denominations Adventist (1) Anglican (1) Assembly Of God (4) Baptist (30) Calvary Chapel (2) Show more Language English (93) This calling is the Holy Spirit's pull into fellowship with Christ. And to give you faith to believe that Jesus became a human being for us and for our salvation, because he lived the perfect righteous life that was required of us and died the cursed death of sinners that we deserved in our place. We know this not only because of the exceptions Paul allowed to his principle here in 1 Corinthians 7 (cf. 4 For the Gods joy gives us perseverance in the midst of sorrow. Seek the illumination of the Holy Spirit as you evaluate assignments and opportunities. We begin to pray about everything. 28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears, we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.1 John 2:28, ESV Its a good question. When I read in Ephesians five that I need to lay down my life for my wife, I have to think about my conversations with her. Part 3: Sending the Spirit, John 8:12-30 Study Guide: I am the Light of the World, John 8:31-47 Study Guide: The Truth Will Set You Free, John 8:48-59 Study Guide: Before Abraham Was, \"I am\", John 10:1-21 Study Guide: The Good Shepherd, John 10:22-42 Study Guide: Safe in the Father\'s Hand, Jonah 1 Study Guide: Defiance and Discipline, Jonah 2 Study Guide: Salvation Belongs to the Lord, Jonah 3 Study Guide: The God of Second Chances. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? He ought not to boast if he is a doctor or lawyer or executive, and he ought not to be self-pitying or depressed if he has a job that society esteems less highly. As a declaration it would be: How you fulfill the demands of your vocation is an essential part of Christian discipleship. Recent Sermons "Jesus Divides the Earth" - Matthew 10:34-42 Pastor Jacob Gerber, February 26, 2023 "No Comfort for the Lonely City" - Lamentations 1:1-22 Pastor Andrew Lightner, February 19, 2023 Facebook Phone Email . Likewise he who is called while free is Christs slave. The real contrast, it seems to me, should be expressed as: "Don't let your slavery make you anxious, but instead use it." Bethany Bible Church Sunday Message; January 27, 2019 from 1 Corinthians 7:17-24. John 5:1-18 Study Guide: Do You Want to be Healed? In the last analysis, nothing else will matter but that. God's Word To The Separated - 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 How To Tame Temptation - 1 Corinthians 10:12-14 This Do In Remembrance Of Me - 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 A Time We Call Communion - 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 Our Time At The Lord's Table - 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 The Lord's Supper Service - 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 But how much of these things on the outside needed to change? I think it is true in the final analysis that this is not an absolute prohibition of accepting freedom, anymore that verse 18 was an absolute prohibition of circumcision. They are different from circumstance to circumstance and person to person. In those days, people would often sell themselves into slavery to pay off debts. English Standard Version Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. He told them; If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. What matters in life and in eternal life is staying close to God and enjoying his presence. | Download (0.2KB), Worship Time Childcare provided for children ages 0-7, Revival Prayer Meeting, 6:00 pm at the church, Church Prayer Group, 7:00 pm at the church, Men's Breakfast, 7:30 am at the 185th Shari's. In verse twenty-four Paul tells us what is means to abide with God. One is the work of the Holy Spirit in the objective inspiration of the Bible. Portland OR 97231, Posted by Pastor Greg Allen on January 27, 2019 under 2019 |, Bethany Bible Church Sunday Message; January 27, 2019 from 1 Corinthians 7:17-24. 1 Corinthians:7:32 . This may be correct, but I find it hard to accept since the principle he is illustrating is expressed in v. 20 as "Everyone should remain in the state in which he was called," and in verse 24 as "In whatever state each was called, there let him remain with God." Do not be concerned about it. Once the person came the sign gave way to a reality. First, I believe we should learn to be confident in Gods call for us. As a tax collector, he was a sinful man. So; thats what this principle looks like in relation to outward traditions. *"This date is an approximation of when this sermon was delivered." THE text does not say that time is short. There is provision for freeing slaves in the Old Testament, and we are familiar with a tax collector who became a preacher and fishermen who became missionaries. If they were called to God in a state of cultural slavery, then they are to be faithful to walk with Jesus Christ as His servants within that state of slavery. But Jesus came by one day and paid a call on Zacchaeus. We should learn to accept His calling, and to be confident in it, and to even thank Him for it. Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Notice how radically different Paul's rationale is for keeping your cultural distinctives than the rationale current in our day. It was to be a follower of the traditions of the Jewish people. Do you see how he praised God for it? The question at Corinth was: When we come to Christ, what should we abandon? Now obviously, staying in that place in which He called us assumes that it is not an inherently sinful place. Once we are made new on the inside, things begin to change on the outside. Seek to follow the Lords leading but remember this number one priority. We often use the word "calling" to refer to our vocation: my calling is to be a homemaker; my calling is to be a salesman; etc. Verse 17 says, "Let everyone lead the life which the Lord has assigned to him." We wonder if life would be greener somewhere else, but Christians have this additional element where we are thankful for the green pastures that our good shepherd has led us. Dont put yourself in slavery because you were brought with a price. The Bible tells us that He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:7). 1 Corinthians 7:22, ESV Indeed, becoming a slave of the right person could be a career choice. For many of us that may mean turning over a new leaf tomorrow morning. When we are called into a relationship with Jesus, God calls us in a place where we still have our old friends and old relations. This is a very important principle. Even if you are free, you are not free. Gods call transforms and transcends us, as one commentator writes, in all of the circumstances that we find ourselves in. In verse 23, Paul said, You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. And that is the true condition of a new creation in Christ, whether they are a slaves or freedmen. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Its in that context that you can serve your master, because you arent serving your master suddenly you are in an assignment where the calling of Jesus Christ is intersected. Now, dear brothers and sisters; how do we apply this principle? Spit-Shine Tomorrow's Sermon Before You Go To Bed Tonight By Rick Malm on March 2, 2023 7 Ways To Keep From Killing Your Message By Carey Nieuwhof on March 1, 2023 People Listen In Different Wayscan You Reach All Of Them? Were not automatically required to quit our jobs, or quit our course of study at school, or abandon our vocations. "So brethren," Paul concludes in verse 24, "In whatever state each was called, let him remain with God." There are times where opportunities present themselves to make something different of our circumstances. That was a very important question that was being asked by the Christians in the ancient city of Corinth. . Not only the president but anyone at higher rank than you could dump whatever work they wanted to on you. He has kept those relations in place for a reason. "A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.1 Corinthians 7:17-24, ESV Again, there is no point system. I think we have a great example of this from the Bible. Devote yourself to that with all your heart, and take whatever job you want. There was a monk whose name was Brother Lawrence who wrote a booked called, Practicing the Presence of God. This is my rule in all the churches. It is, in fact, a principle for all those who believe on Jesusand in all the churches that belong to Him. A believing husband should not divorce his unbelieving wife, and a believing wife should not divorce her unbelieving husband. 18 Was any man called when he was already circumcised? Text: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:1-7. Preach on topics including unity among believers, immorality, spiritual gifts, the meaning of love, and the certainty of the resurrection. No matter how difficult his circumstances was, no matter how menials the assignments he was given, what a joy to abide in the presence with God. You have a master, its the Lord Jesus Christ. All Videos Images Commentaries Devotionals Other Translations Sermons Related Scriptures Podcasts Blogs. Let Him make you into a new creation. That has to do with our outward mode of lifethe place of life in this world that God has granted to us. The hope of glory when he returns. Do not be concerned about it Paul didnt mean, of course, that it was a matter of indifference that someone was a slave. The call of God which puts us into believing, loving fellowship with Jesus is a powerful, effective call that draws us to the Son (John 6:44, 65). 1. Encourage my heart when I tend to despair, and humble me when I tend to boast. For this objective teaching of the eternal word of God recorded for us in the scriptures of the Old and new testaments, which is the only rule to direct us concerning God and what duty we owe to God. Praise God for the total transformation that comes from being a new creation in Christ. Thats the call, our assignments are ultimately irrelevant. In the assignment in which the call of God came to you, walk in that. Paul says that its good, if you can, to remain in the situation that you are in. He applies it like this: if you were converted as a Gentile, don't try to become a Jew. This passage teaches us that we can all calm down; we dont have to get anxious about our calling in life. Some of them had become born again by faith in Jesus, and were now brand new creations in Christ. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Single And Whole Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on May 30, 2018 | 5,574 views This sermon deals with the reality that every single person is a whole person. 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 Study Guide: Why Not Rather Be Cheated?